Monthly Archives: August 2013

The results of the ratification vote are the following: 365 YES and 6 NO. The tentative settlement has therefore been supported by 98.4% of the members who casted a ballot. With 371 ballots, the participation rate is 29.7%.

We wish to thank our members for the strong and continued support given to us during this round of bargaining, especially for the strike vote held on July 31st. This unprecedented mobilization of APUO members was crucial in helping us to reach this settlement during mediation.

We look forward building on this strong support to address our next challenges, beginning with the core issue of tenure and promotion.

A ratification meeting of the proposed collective agreement (1 May 2012 to 30 April 2016) will be held Thursday August 29 2013. A summary of the process and the results, followed by a «Questions and Answers» period, will take place from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, in room 122 of Lamoureux Building. The ratification vote itself will begin at 11:00 AM and last until 5:00 PM at the entrance of room 122 of Lamoureux Building.

The APUO is happy to report that the very strong support you expressed last week enabled the negotiating team to reach a tentative settlement with the employer.

This agreement includes a firm commitment by the employer to hire 60 new professors and 1 librarian over the next three years, the integration of the 31 existing LTRPs into continuing renewable appointments, significant scale and catch-up salary increases, as well as a modest pension contribution increase. The agreement also offers a guaranteed minimum number of APUO members.

In sum, we believe that the APUO has reached the best deal possible and we are happy to recommend it for ratification. A Special General Assembly (SGA) and secret vote to ratify the agreement will take place within the next 10 working days. We will forward you all the relevant information as soon as possible.

We would also like to thank all of our members who contributed to the bargaining process over the last year, as well as the excellent professional advice and support of the CAUT, which accompanied us through the mediation process.

Finally, thank you again for your extraordinary support. Your vote enabled us to bring you this deal.

As you know, the membership turned out in staggering numbers on Wednesday to demonstrate overwhelming support for the negotiating team and its positions. We have been inspired by the fact that more than 450 members attended the Special General Assembly and that almost 700 members came out to vote in person. Representatives from the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and the CAUT defense fund who participated at the meeting said that they were astounded that this many members participated, and that 82% voted in favour, given the fact that it was in the middle of the summer and the first strike mandate vote ever in APUO’s history.

We could not be more grateful for this show of support. We believe that it will give the bargaining team the tools and leverage it needs this weekend to negotiate a fair and equitable deal. Therefore, we hope that we will be able to report back on August 5 that we have a proposed agreement to share with you. In the event that negotiations break down, however, please watch for an email that will give you essential information about how to get ready for a strike or lockout.

We know that all of you, like us, are most concerned about the impact any potential labour disruption would have on students. We assure you that the executive is doing everything it can to find ways to creatively minimize any effect on students to the extent possible. Please read this letter from the APUO to students, and share it with as many students as you can. We are also pleased to share this letter from the Graduate Students’ Association (GSAED) pledging its support for the APUO in our endeavour to secure a fair and equitable contract and promote the quality of education at the University of Ottawa.

Thank you again for your overwhelming support. We hope that we will bring you good news in the following days.